This section lists all available snaps and geometric aids. When accessed from the Snap Modes toolbar or from the menu, these are running snaps (permanent until turned off). When accessed by a SEKE or from the local menu, they are one-time snaps.
SEKE:* S
When on, turns off all snap modes. With snap modes off, you define points by simply clicking, or by using the Inspector Bar and Coordinate Fields.
SEKE:* V
Snaps to the nearest vertex. A vertex can be an endpoint of a line or line segment, corner of a polygon, or endpoint of an arc or curve.
SEKE:* M
Snaps to the midpoint of a line or line segment.
Snaps to one of the division points of an arc or line segment.
The default number of segments is 3, but you can change this in the Segments field of the Drawing Aids window. Open this window by right-clicking on the SNAP or GEO button next to the Coordinate Fields.
Tip: You can also divide arcs and line segments while using the Edit Tool, by selecting Divide Segment or Arc Divide from the local menu. See Edit Tool.
SEKE:* C
Snaps to the center of an arc, circle, or ellipse.
SEKE:* E
Snaps to the center of extents of a 2D or 3D object. This is the center of the bounding rectangle (2D) or box (3D) that encloses the selected object.
Snaps to the nearest point on a facet, or to the projection of this point onto the current workplane.
SEKE:* Q
Snaps to the nearest quadrant point (0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees) on a circle, arc, or ellipse.
SEKE:* I
Snaps to the intersection of two objects.
SEKE:* G
Snaps to the nearest grid point. See Grid.
For details on grid settings, see Grid Options.
If the Advanced Grid option of Frequency is set to a figure greater than one, invisible grid lines will also be detected by this snap mode. See Advanced Grid Options.
SEKE:* N
Snaps to the point on an object closest to the cursor, within the snap aperture.
Snaps to a tangent point on an arc, circle, or ellipse, relative to the previous point.
Snaps to a point that is the perpendicular projection image of the last point drawn onto a selected object.
In this example, the line on the right is the projection line. The last point drawn is Point 2, when creating Line 1-2.
Activate the Projection snap and hover over the projection line. Point 3 is the snap point, which is the perpendicular projection of Point 2.
The snap point does not have to lie on the projection line; it can be placed on the extension of the projection line.
In the case of a circle, the projection point is along the radial from the circle center. If the circle is selected on the left side, the snap point will be on that side.
If you select the circle on its right side, the snap point will be on that side.
Snaps to a point that is the mirror image of the last point drawn, in reference to a selected object.
In this example, the line on the right is the mirror line. The last point drawn is Point 2, when creating Line 1-2.
Activate the Opposite snap and hover over the mirror line. Point 3 is the snap point.
In some cases it is important where you select the mirror object. If the circle is selected on the left side, the mirror point will be opposite that side.
If you select the circle on its right side, the mirror point will be opposite that side.
Hotkey:* Shift
When in use, the cursor can only move horizontally or vertically.
Snaps to intersection curves between 3D objects and the current workplane. (For information on workplanes, see Workplanes)
When in use, a diamond-shaped point will be displayed for the locations of all running snaps. See Magnetic Point.
Snap to points located orthogonally from existing points. Show Magnetic Point must be turned on.
Snaps to points where two lines would meet. An auxiliary line is displayed from both lines, extending to this point. Show Magnetic Point must be turned on.
SEKE: J
Connects a line to another line so that the two lines are perpendicular.
NOTE: Remember that settings which control object appearance via the Layer Manager (e.g. VP Color) only affect the properties objects which are set to By Layer.
Refresh: Refresh the Layer manager display.
New Layer Filter: Creates a new Layer filter. Assign a name to the filter then setup the filter in the Layer Filters dialog.
Edit Filter Parameters: Open the layer filter currently selected in the tree in the Layer Filters dialog.
Edit Layer Sets: Opens the Layer Set dialog to create and edit layer sets.
New Layer Template: Creates a new layer template from the currently selected layers.
New Layer: Creates a new layer. The default name will include a prefix by default, but the name can be changed.
Delete Layer: See Snap Modes.
Activate: Sets the currently selected layer (only one) as the active layer. This will effect any currently active drawing tool or currently selected object.
Select By: Selects all objects on the currently selected layers.
Edit Properties: Opens that layer page of the Drawing Options.
Visible/Invisible All: If any layer is invisible all layers are made visible. If all layers are visible they are all made invisible.
Invert Visibility: Turns all visible layers invisible, and all invisible layers visible.
Exclusive Visible: Makes only the currently selected layers visible, all other become visible.
Lock/Unlock All: If any layer is unlocked all layers are locked. If all layers are locked they are all unlocked.
Invert Lock:
Exclusive Lock: Makes only the currently selected layers locked, all other become unlocked.
Layer Prefix: By default, the layers are named "Layer 1, Layer 2," etc. You can change or remove the prefix. The @ symbol is a placeholder for the automatic layer number.
Note: Many of the functions available from the Layer toolbar are also available by right clicking and opening the local menu.
You may delete any layer except Layers 0 and $CONSTRUCTION. Layers can be deleted even if they contain objects.
If the layer to be deleted is set as the default for a tool (in the General page of a tool's Properties window), you will receive a warning message before the layer is deleted.
In some cases, objects on deleted layers will be moved to Layer 0, rather than be deleted. If an object exists on Layer 1 in both Paper Space and Model Space, and Layer 1 is deleted from Model Space, in Paper Space the object will be moved to Layer 0. This is due to different Undo buffers for Model and Paper Spaces.
Layer templates allow you to create and save alternate configurations for layers. Layer templates store how layers are setup, but do not store layers thenselves. Layer templates are saved in a *.lrs file which can be stored anywher in you system directory.